Archbishop of Canterbury: Ending occupation is a legal and moral necessity
Pars Today - The Archbishop of Canterbury, England, stated that it is clear that ending the occupation of Palestinian territories by the Israeli regime is now a legal and moral necessity.
The British newspaper The Telegraph recently reported that Justin Welby expressed his support for the International Court of Justice's ruling, which declared the Israeli regime's presence in the occupied Palestinian territories "illegal" and called for an end to the occupation.
According to Pars Today, quoting IRNA, Welby urged UN members, including the UK, to "positively respond" to the non-binding ICJ ruling and recognize the fundamental right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
The ICJ judges from around the world declared in this ruling that the Israeli regime must immediately halt all new settlement activities and repeal all discriminatory laws and actions against the Palestinian people in the Occupied Territories.
The ICJ stated: The ongoing abuse by the Israeli regime of its position as an occupying power through "annexation and permanent control over the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as violations of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination," is a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law. This court considers the presence of the Israeli regime in the occupied Palestinian territories illegal.
In his Friday statement, Welby said: The ICJ ruling definitively shows that the presence of the Israeli regime in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal and must end as soon as possible.
He added:
“As the world faces increasing violations of international law and the commitment to a rules-based system is questioned, it is essential for governments worldwide to reaffirm their unwavering commitment to all the directives of the International Court of Justice. International law protects our shared humanity, dignity, and flourishing.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury added: To resist a world where actions such as torture, hostage-taking, and excessive violence have become normalized, we must adhere to the law fearlessly and without self-interest in all circumstances. However, international laws have long been selectively enforced and supported in ways that endanger our collective peace and security. It is now time to reverse this deeply destructive trend.
According to him, his visits in recent decades have shown that the regime imposed in the Occupied Territories by successive Israeli cabinets has become systemically discriminatory. Additionally, the Israeli regime, through illegal settlements, depriving the Palestinian people of their natural resources, and imposing military rule that violates justice and security, has denied the dignity, freedom, and hope of the Palestinians.
In another part of his remarks, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: I am particularly aware of the impact this has on Palestinian Christians, a matter that threatens their future and existence. It is clear that ending the occupation is a legal and moral necessity.
He called on all UN members to ensure that their individual and collective actions comply with the ICJ's ruling on the illegality of the Israeli regime's occupation of the Palestinian territories and to pave the way for recognizing the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.
It is worth mentioning that the foundation of the Israeli regime was established in 1917 through British colonial scheme and by facilitating the migration of Jews from various countries to Palestinian lands, and its existence was declared in 1948. Since then, various plans for the mass killing of Palestinians and the takeover of their entire land have been carried out.
Several countries, led by the Islamic Republic of Iran, are strong supporters of the dissolution of the colonial Israeli regime and the return of Jews to their original countries.
Key phrases: Who is the Archbishop of Canterbury? Israel-Gaza conflict, ICJ ruling on Israeli occupation, Israeli settlement construction
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